Slot machines are the most popular form of gambling in casinos for good reason – they are easy to play, lots of fun, and offer the chance for big jackpots. However, slots are also completely random, meaning there is no skill involved. You simply press a button and hope the reels line up in your favor.
This leads many players to wonder:
- Is there a strategy that can actually help me win at slots?
- Or is it all just luck and I should simply expect to slowly lose money over time?
In this article, we will examine some common beliefs about winning at slots on renowned platforms like Hey Spin UK and see if any hold up to scrutiny or scientific evidence.
Common Slot Machine Strategies
Here are some strategies many slot players swear help them beat the house edge:
- Play machines with higher denominations – The belief is that these machines have higher payout percentages.
- Always bet the maximum number of coins per spin – This unlocks bigger jackpots.
- Avoid branded slot machines – Games based on movies and TV shows are claimed to be tighter.
- Play older machines – The idea is they have had more time to pay out bigger jackpots.
- Analyze payout percentage data – This involves seeking out games with the highest return-to-player (RTP).
- Take advantage of bonuses and loyalty programs – These provide extra value and bankroll boosts.
Do any of these slot strategies actually work? Let’s analyze them one-by-one.
Does Bet Size and Denomination Matter?
One of the most prevalent slot myths is that higher denomination games have better payouts.
The belief is a $1 machine must pay out more than a penny slot to justify the higher betting minimum. But this is not always the case.
All Nevada casinos report their slot machine payout percentages publicly. And when the data is analyzed, there is no correlation between bet size or denomination and better RTP.
Penny slots can have just as high (or higher) payout percentages as $5 machines. Betting more per spin does not guarantee better results.
Should You Always Bet the Maximum?
This widespread strategy ties into the belief that higher bets equal higher payouts. But again, there is no data showing betting the maximum correlates with better RTP.
That said, to qualify for the biggest jackpots, you usually must bet the maximum. If you bet just one coin and hit the jackpot symbols, you will not win the full mega prize.
So while max betting does not change your overall RTP, it does give access to the top prizes. Whether that chance is worth the higher cost per spin is up to you.
Do Older Slots Pay Out More?
This myth involves the idea that the big jackpots advertised on a slot have to get paid out eventually. So people believe that choosing older games means the jackpot is “due” to hit soon.
But slots are powered by random number generators that ensure each spin has an equal chance of winning. The age of a game or how long the jackpot has gone unclaimed has no bearing on your chances.
Over an infinite number of spins, a slot machine is likely to payout its advertised percentage. But there is no guarantee when the jackpot hits nor any higher “likelihood” on an older game.
Making the Most of Slot Bonuses
While the strategies analyzed above likely have little merit, taking advantage of bonuses and loyalty programs is a wise move.
These provide monetary incentives just for playing as usual but give you extra bankroll boosts in the process. Playing with house money via bonuses lets you endure the slots’ swings with less risk.
Just make sure to read the fine print first. Pick offers with reasonable playthrough terms that suit your normal betting amount and game preferences.
